5 Things I Tell Every New Law Firm Partner (That I Wish I’d Known)

I recently caught up with an ex-colleague who has just been promoted to partner.

I remember how overwhelming those first few months felt. You’re suddenly not just a senior lawyer anymore — you’re running a business, responsible for a team, and expected to contribute to the firm’s direction. At the same time, you still have your training wheels on and every decision is under scrutiny.

Here’s the advice I gave him — and what I wish someone had told me when I made partner. This applies equally to anyone aspiring to partnership — you need this mindset well before you get the title.

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1. Get a Sponsor and a Mentor

They are not the same thing.

• A sponsor actively advocates for you higher up the food chain.
• A mentor helps you work through challenges and grow as a leader.

You need both. And when you can, become a mentor yourself — nothing sharpens your thinking like teaching and supporting someone coming up behind you.

But remember: sponsorship and mentorship are two-way streets. Offer something back — take a task off their plate or help them shine.

Looking back, I had sponsors and mentors but I didn’t build strong enough bonds with them. I saw it as one-way traffic from them to me. In reality, they also need something meaningful from you.

📬 Pro tip: Build your own board of advisors early. Sign up here to get my upcoming guide on how to find the right sponsor and mentor.

2. Focus on Your Core Work

Being a partner can create an endless list of tasks you never knew existed.

The trick is to work out what really matters and protect time for it:

• Focus on client relationships, high-impact deal execution, and business development.
• Delegate or systematise everything else — billing templates, checklists, and secretary/junior training.

This was one of my biggest challenges. At first, I thought it was quicker to do the admin myself — and it was — but that isn’t what partners are there to do.

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3. Market Yourself as a Law Firm Partner

Your job isn’t just to deliver great work — it’s to make sure the right people know about it.

• Internally: Be visible to decision-makers. Share wins, pitch ideas, and make your value obvious.
• Externally: Build authority. Speak at events, write articles, post on LinkedIn.

If I’m honest, this was my biggest weakness. I did the rounds — marketing, meetings, conferences — but I didn’t truly build authority. I wasn’t proactive enough in speaking engagements, and internally I kept to my own island.

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4. Learn to Say No

You can’t do everything. And if you try, you’ll burn out.

Learn to say no to work that isn’t aligned with your core focus or doesn’t advance your practice. This isn’t selfish — it’s essential for long-term sustainability.

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5. Own the Business Side

You are no longer just a fee-earner — you’re running a small business.

• Understand your numbers: profitability, leverage, realisation rates.
• Diversify your client base so you’re not reliant on one or two major clients.
• Keep an eye on where your practice area is headed and position yourself for the next wave.

On this last point, I was able to spot a new product area, scale it, and watch other parts of the business leverage it — one of the most satisfying moments of my partnership.

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Final Thought

Partnership can be one of the most rewarding stages of your career — but only if you’re intentional about how you approach it.

If you’ve recently made partner or had a promotion, what advice would you add to this list? Drop a comment or share this post — I’d love to hear how others navigated those early years.

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